Week in Review

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Week in Review 22 February 2025

Catch up on this week's must-read stories We wish it were otherwise - but once again our news agenda has been dominated by conflict spreading and threats multiplying. The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that condemns the M23 offensive in eastern DR Congo and calls for Rwandan forces to stop supporting the group. A lasting peace deal in Libya between rival factions still seems a long way off and a "dangerous tipping point" has been reached between rival militaries fighting for control of Sudan. Meanwhile, humanitarians continue to detail the harrowing impacts of the Ukraine conflict as the three-year mark approaches. The Council also met to discuss the future of multilateralism as the solidity of the post-World War Two international order was cast into doubt, sending shockwaves through Europe and beyond. Change was apparent in the positions taken around the iconic horseshoe table, and in a meeting on Ukraine called by Russia, a senior political affairs official said any peace deal to end the Ukraine war must respect Kyiv's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.  It wasn't all despair: the UN chief told the African Union last weekend that the continent is "brimming with hope and possibility", despite the multiple wars scarring nearly every region - and in Gaza, the UN's humanitarian operation scaled up further as the shattered enclave prepared for a further health boost in the form of another round of polio vaccines for vulnerable children.

Security Council urges Rwanda to stop supporting M23 in eastern DR Congo The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday that strongly condemned the ongoing offensive and advance of M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Read more Peace and Security Urgent appeal launched as DR Congo crisis fuels mass displacement to Burundi The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has launched a $40.4 million appeal to address the deepening humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its impact on neighbouring countries, particularly Burundi, where thousands are arriving daily in desperate conditions.  Read more Migrants and Refugees Full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has sown 'psychological terror', warns top aid coordinator In the nearly three years since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the country's people have endured continuous attacks, "psychological terror…displacement and hardship", top UN aid coordinator Matthias Schmale said on Friday. Read more Peace and Security UN chief condemns 'abhorrent and appalling' treatment of hostages' remains by Hamas The UN Secretary-General on Thursday condemned the "parading" of coffins earlier in the day containing the bodies of dead Israeli hostages by their Hamas captors, describing the manner of the handover in Gaza as abhorrent. Read more Peace and Security 'Fragile stability' in Libya increasingly at risk, Security Council hears The dream of a civil, democratic and prosperous Libya remains unfulfilled 14 years after the revolution that led to the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime, the head of UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs told the Security Council on Wednesday.  Read more Peace and Security UN to continue Gaza vaccination campaign against polio The UN World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday that the mass polio vaccination campaign in Gaza which began successfully last year, will continue in the coming days. Read more Peace and Security Amid 'clear' threat of nuclear war, Guterres tells Security Council multilateral off-ramp is essential Strengthening international cooperation and delivering on a UN pact that calls for reforming global governance, among other measures, was the focus of debate in the Security Council on Tuesday.  Read more Peace and Security Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine paramount, Security Council hears A senior UN political affairs official on Monday reaffirmed that any peace deal in Ukraine must respect the country's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. Read more Peace and Security UNDP calls for long-term investment to support recovery in Syria Accelerating economic recovery is critical to reverse Syria's decline and restore stability, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said in a report published on Thursday.  Read more Economic Development What is social justice and how is the UN helping make it a reality? In recent years, the term "social justice" has become a significant part of public discourse, often invoked in discussions about equality, human rights, and societal reforms. But what exactly does social justice mean, and why is it so important? Read more Human Rights UN rights office warns of 'dangerous tipping point' as abuses surge in Sudan The UN human rights office (OHCHR) on Tuesday sounded the alarm over escalating rights abuses in Sudan, warning that impunity is driving violations as fighting spreads and more armed groups become involved. Read more Human Rights Ukraine: Three years of war reverses progress for women and girls Three years of war in Ukraine have reversed decades of progress for women and girls, leaving millions in urgent need of support, according to UN Women. Read more Peace and Security UN environment agency calls for urgent action on 'triple planetary crisis' The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) called on Tuesday for urgent action to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, warning that progress on all fronts remains slow and uneven. Read more Climate and Environment New children's book promotes the value of all languages Language is one of the distinctive features that makes us human, and a new book supported by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) aims to encourage children to reflect on its importance.  Read more Culture and Education Interview: Young Palestinians in East Jerusalem shut out of UNRWA training centre The UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, condemned efforts by Israeli officials on Tuesday to shut down an UNRWA-run training centre in occupied East Jerusalem. Read more Peace and Security Asia-Pacific falling behind on sustainable development and climate targets The Asia-Pacific region is significantly off track in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with most targets either stalled or off pace – despite ongoing efforts, according to a new UN report. Read more SDGs

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